GRID Autosport - boxed - PS3

GRID: Autosport is the third game in the GRID racing simulation series. It offers a wide variety of motorsport disciplines and leans more towards the realism of the original GRID. It does not completely move away from the arcade-oriented approach of its predecessor GRID 2, as these elements are now combined with the more realistic ones from the original game in a single package. For example, there is again a first-person cockpit view, but the game is not presented as a difficult simulation, as alongside detailed steering and physics model there are various assists to guide the player. The game no longer features a narrative career mode and the menus have been simplified. Technical innovations include wear, a performance decline over time, a suspension damage system and retrieving various information via the radio. Pit stops are not supported in the game. Returning from the first game is the Flashback function, which allows the player to rewind time for a few seconds to correct mistakes.

Alongside single races, both offline and online with the option for split screen and custom cups where all settings can be changed, the main career mode lets the player start a 25-year career. For each season, a discipline, a championship and a team can be chosen. Five types of motorsport disciplines are offered: Endurance, Open Wheel, Street, Touring Car and Tuner. To progress further, all classes must be played to unlock new teams and teammates through season objectives and sponsors. The teammate can be influenced by the player during a race, for example by making his driving behaviour defensive and holding back drivers behind him to catch up with them. Experience is earned based on results and achievement of objectives. Disabling assists is rewarded with more experience. Unlike the original GRID, it is not possible to manage an entire team, hire drivers, design liveries or recruit sponsors.

Each discipline has its own objectives, cars and races. There are standard races for touring cars, endurance races feature tyre wear and open-wheel races require strict and correct racing behaviour with Formula 3 and Indy cars and only on real tracks. Tuner cars participate in time trials and drift events, street racing takes place on dense city circuits, and these two usually take place on fictional tracks. Once a certain level is reached for the combined racing disciplines, the player receives an invitation to participate in a GRID Grand Slam with additional, challenging tasks.

The championships are not licensed, but there are many real racing tracks such as Indianapolis, Spa-Francorchamps, Mount Panorama and the Yas Marina Circuit, as well as various fictional races at real locations such as Dubai, Paris, San Francisco and more. There are over 100 configurations for a total of 22 locations. The cars are divided into different classes for each racing discipline, including BTCC, V8 Supercars, GT, Formula A, Muscle Cars, Hypercars and more from licensed manufacturers.